July 18, 2014—Paul Murray, VP of Sustainability for Shaw Industries, and Kemp Harr, discuss the newly released Annual Sustainability Report. Listen to the interview to hear a couple of the highlights of this 100-page report including some interesting financial data, investment data and Shaw's transparency focus moving forward.
July 16, 2014—Jim Walker, CEO with Certified Floorcovering Installer (CFI), and Kemp Harr, discuss the CFI's annual meeting scheduled for September 5-6, in New Orleans. This year's meeting is being held in conjunction with the FIANA group. Listen to the interview to hear more about this joint event and also hear an update on the S600 carpet installation standard that has been under development for over 4 years.
July 15, 2014—Geert Roelens, CEO with Beaulieu International Group (BIG), and Kemp Harr, discuss yesterday's big news that BIG is building a manufacturing plant and a U.S. headquarters on one campus in Cartersville, Georgia. BIG is committing to spend $200 million and hire 350 employees. The plant will produce 16 foot wide cushioned sheet vinyl. Listen to the interview for more details.
July 11, 2014—Kermit Baker, a Harvard Economist who focuses on the architectural sector and U.S. housing market, and Kemp Harr, discuss the economic outlook for both sectors. Listen to the interview to hear Kermit's take on the AIA Billing Index and what's holding back the housing market.
Jully 10, 2014—Dave Snedeker, Merchandise Manager with Nebraska Furniture Mart, and Kemp Harr discuss the trends from this week's Rug Show in Atlanta. Listen to the interview to hear what's going on in Atlanta this week as well as how NFM is tracking in flooring sales with its three megastores in the midwest that sell furniture, floorcovering, appliances and home electornics.
July 9, 2014—Vinnie Virga, a multi-store floorcovering retailer in New England, and Kemp Harr, discuss market conditions for flooring sales around Boston and a few take aways from the annual Big Bob's convention held a few weeks ago in Kansas City. Listen to the interview to hear more details about Vinnie's plan for growth, his branding and promotion activity and Big Bob's convention.
July 3, 2014—Paul Johnson, Owner of six retail floorcovering stores in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Kemp Harr, discuss the success of his business and his new role as Chairman of the WFCA. Listen to the interview to hear about Paul's family-run Carpet One stores and about his core focus as the leader of the WFCA.
July 2, 2014—Ann Harrell, Account Executive with Propex, and Kemp Harr, discuss the year to date decline in carpet production in 2014. The number of days that carpet mills shut down over the 4th of July holiday usually gives an indication of the order backlog for a specific type of carpet. Listen to the interview for more information and to hear about Propex's expansion of its isis recycled polyester carpet backing.
June 26, 2014—Santo Torcivia, an economist that focuses on the U.S. Floorcovering business, and Kemp Harr, discuss the recently published U.S. FLOOReport-a400 page analysis and forecast that tracks all of the key facets of the business. Listen to the interview to hear what surfaces are outpacing others, what effect the internet is having, and what rate of growth we can expect over the next several years.
June 25, 2014—Christopher Goggin, Design Director with Gensler in Dallas, and Kemp Harr, discuss the new Daltile and Mohawk Group design studio, which opens this week in San Francisco. This is the first studio—designed as a workroom for A&D professionals—that is integrated to include carpet and LVT from The Mohawk Group and tile, stone and slabs from Daltile in one space. Listen to the interview to hear more about Gensler's involvement in designing this space.